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Anyone familiar with or experienced a Vacuum Assisted (due to CM or Syringomyelia a plus)

kblemmon13kblemmon13 member
in High-Risk Pregnancy
So from day one, due to my disorders and high risk pregnancy, I have only had two clear options for delivery : vacuum assist or c-section. (Forceps are a straight no for me) The reason for these two options is because about 5 years ago, I had brain surgery which involved cutting the dura ( the lining of the brain) and replacing with a bovine patch and I also have a syrinx ( a fluid cyst) in my spine. I am not allowed to push due to these two issues. I have been cleared for an epidural by both my neurosurgeon and the anesthesiologist. After seeing a different doctor every visit, at both my normal clinic and the high risk, I have heard every opinion and every recommendation if "i was their daughter..." and not one has matched with another. After finally deciding to go the most natural way and have a vaginal birth... I was told in lam-en's terms that I would labor down, let baby girl work her way into the birth canal and then they would pull her out. If I pushed, it would be minimal. They also first wanted to induce me so I would be in a controlled environment...

After my appointment yesterday, I am so confused, frustrated and now scared. Apparently now they are saying I will have to push.. which I didn't think you could do with the way they are planning on numbing me. And I am terrified to push because after my surgery, I have been doing great and do not want to go back down that disabled path. The surgery was a treatment, not a cure. I want to be able to take care of my daughter, not the other way around!!

Has anyone experienced a vacuum assisted? Do you push the whole time, is it just a few if she gets stuck... what the hell happens in there? 

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Re: Anyone familiar with or experienced a Vacuum Assisted (due to CM or Syringomyelia a plus)

  • PrincessBritt17PrincessBritt17 member
    Can I ask why you decided against the c-section?  I know that it is major surgery, but it is also a quality of life issue.  If you are concerned with the effects of delivery on your future, it would make sense to me to choose the least traumatic route.  I know that we all want what is best for our children, but sometimes we have to think of ourselves too.  If this is going to make your life (and therefore your child's life) more difficult I would consider the c-section alternative.  In the big scheme of things how our children arrive in the world is a very small piece of their story, we just want them here happy and healthy.  I personally had an emergency c-section under general with my DD due to complications and am now scheduled for a repeat as that is the safest for me.  I think you need to look at your options and find the one that you are most comfortable with and that you are confident going into delivery with.  Good luck!
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  • ThereBeDragonsThereBeDragons member
    I had an epidural- it did not prevent me from pushing and it did not remove the physical need to push that is inherent in a vaginal birth.

    I would strongly consider the CSection given your condition and desire to avoid pushing. My daughter was head down fully engaged and it still took me half an hour of pushing to get her down and into a position where the top of her head was visible. Took another half hour of pushing to get her out. And again, the pushing wasn't optional. My body was on auto-pilot and it was determined to deliver the baby with or without my consent. I had to concentrate/focus to direct the pushing into a productive force and to increase the strength of the push (because I had no desire to drag out that part- the pressure was so intense it became pain even while I was 100% numb)- but when I tried to rest through a contraction at that stage- my body just kept on going.

    I agree with the previous poster- the how of birth is just one tiny piece of the story. I went vaginally but it wasn't due to any concern about how natural it is- I just didn't feel the need to complicate things with a CSection if it wasn't necessary. For you- I'd say it's probably a good idea.
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  • lcoppenheimerlcoppenheimer member
    I have a positive story!! I have a rare collagen vascular disease that puts me at high risk for dissections. I discussed at length with my MFM and we decided for a vacuum assisted vaginal birth (my cardiologist and neurosurgeon were on board). I had a wonderful (albeit painful prior to the epidural) vaginal delivery. I pushed for 1 hour and then pushed more with the vacuum. All of the doctors on the floor were well aware of my condition. I am so, so glad I did the vaginal delivery. I was pretty terrified about the pushing but the vacuum helped immensely!!
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  • kblemmon13kblemmon13 member
    Sorry to just now respond, I was at a conference all week!

    I was all for c-section but my doctors were the ones who kind of decided against it. I followed their advice and now I am thinking of looking back into my other options. I was first told that if I did a VA that I would be treated as a comatose patient since they cannot push either... they would induce, give the epidural, let her make her way down, sit me up so gravity could help and then when it was time, vacuum her out. Now they are saying I will be pushing. They were against c-section due to risks outweighing benefits and its a major surgery... however, I have a long list of those type surgeries under my belt. If I can make it through brain surgery and bounce back in 10 days, I am not so worried about bouncing back from this. I have another appt with a different dr next week. SO hoping for more clear answers... 
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